Cutting Accessibility from the National Construction Code is a Step Backwards for Inclusive Housing
Proposals by Liberal Party housing spokesman Andrew Bragg to reduce requirements within the National Construction Code (NCC) and to cut it down to just 80 pages are being promoted as a way to simplify regulation, boost supply and reduce costs for builders and investors. While streamlining complex regulations is a worthwhile objective to help boost the supply of appropriate housing, removing minimum accessibility standards would come at a significant cost to Australians with disability, older people and future generations of homeowners.At Housing Hub, we think accessibility should not be viewed as a regulatory burden, but as a fundamental component of good housing design.Grant Dempsey, Chair of the Housing Hub Board, notes that about 95% of people with disability will never qualify for Specialist Disability Accommodation through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and that this cohort rely on the mainstream housing market.“Weakening mainstream housing accessibility standards shuts many people out of homes before they're even built," he said."Making the National Construction Code simpler is a worthwhile goal. But stripping out minimum accessibility standards isn't simplification, it's a backwards step that will make it harder for the 15% of Australians with disability to find homes that meet their needs."
Our response to the latest NCC proposal by the Liberal Party.Why Accessibility Standards Matter
The accessibility standards introduced into the NCC in 2022 were designed to ensure that new homes include basic features that make them easier to access and live in for a wider range of people. These features can include step-free entrances, wider doorways and accessible bathrooms, helping homes remain functional throughout different stages of life. Under these new proposals, features like this would become optional to builders and developers.The reason minimum standards were introduced was clear: the market had consistently failed to provide enough accessible housing voluntarily."We already know what happens when accessibility is optional – it doesn't get built,” Mr Dempsey said.“Minimum standards were introduced in 2022 because the market wasn't delivering accessible homes on its own. Scrapping them now throws away hard-won progress, and people with disability pay the price."Removing these requirements risks further reducing housing options for people with disability who already face significant barriers when looking for suitable homes.
The Extended Impacts
While accessibility standards are often discussed in the context of disability, their benefits extend far wider.Australia's population is ageing, and many people will experience changes in mobility at some point in their lives. Parents with prams, people recovering from injuries and families caring for ageing relatives all benefit from homes that are easier to navigate.Accessible design supports a broad cross-section of the community, and works better for older Australians, families and anyone whose needs change over time.Hidden Costs of Removing Accessibility
One of the arguments often raised in favour of reducing accessibility requirements is that it may lower construction costs. However, this view ignores a broader economic reality.When homes are built without accessible features, modifications often become necessary later. Retrofitting an existing home can be significantly more expensive than incorporating accessibility during initial construction."Removing accessibility requirements doesn't remove the cost of accessibility, it shifts that cost downstream, onto people with disability, the NDIS and taxpayers, when homes have to be retrofitted later,” said Mr Dempsey.In other words, any short-term savings achieved during construction may ultimately result in higher costs for individuals and government-funded support systems.We believe it is important to ensure mainstream housing stock is designed to accommodate diverse needs from the outset, and that building homes more people can use is good housing policy.
Simplification Should Not Come at the Expense of Inclusion
Housing Hub understands that making the NCC easier to understand and implement is important. Industry stakeholders, builders and policymakers have long discussed opportunities to reduce unnecessary complexity and improve regulatory consistency.However, Housing Hub believes accessibility requirements should not be part of that reduction."There's a sensible conversation to have about making the National Construction Code clearer. But accessibility isn't red tape, it's basic features that make homes usable for more Australians."The challenge for policymakers is finding ways to simplify compliance without undermining the standards that support inclusive communities and future-proof Australia's housing stock.
Keeping Accessibility at the Heart of Housing Policy
As policymakers consider reforms to the NCC, the debate raises an important question: what kind of housing system does Australia want to build for the future?Accessibility standards are not simply technical requirements. They influence whether people with disability, older people and families can choose where and how they want to live, have their needs met, and maintain independence in their homes.Housing Hub's position is clear: By all means cut the complexity, but don't cut the standards that make new homes accessible to the people who need them.Article published: August 2026
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